Every Parent Needs to Hear This
Hi friends,
Every once in a while I finish an interview and drive home with more questions than answers.
This was one of those conversations.
When I sat down with Officer Dave Gomez, I expected to spend our time talking about smartphones, social media, and how parents can better protect their children online.
We certainly talked about all of that.
But somewhere during our conversation, I realized this interview wasn't really about phones.
It was about something much deeper.
It was about identity.
As a mom, I found myself thinking about Max, Finley, and Faith almost the entire interview. Like so many parents, I've wrestled with the same questions many of you probably have. When is the right time for a phone? How much freedom is too much? Am I doing enough? I don't pretend to have all the answers, but this conversation reminded me of something I never want to forget.
No app.
No parental control.
No filter.
No technology.
...will ever replace the relationship we have with our children.
That challenged me.
One of the moments that broke my heart came when Dave explained how online predators don't usually begin with threats.
They begin with friendship.
They play the long game.
They look for children who simply want to be seen, accepted, and valued.
As I listened, I couldn't help but think...
Isn't that exactly how the enemy works?
He doesn't usually come crashing through the front door.
He whispers.
He promises acceptance.
He promises significance.
He promises identity.
And before long, children begin believing that their worth is determined by likes, followers, streaks, or the approval of people they've never even met.
That realization stayed with me long after we stopped recording.
There was a moment during the interview when I shared something I tell my own children often.
I remind them that their identity isn't found in sports.
It isn't found in school.
It isn't found in social media.
Their identity is found in Christ.
The more Dave talked about what he's witnessed over the years, the more convinced I became that this may be one of the greatest battles our children are facing today.
Not simply protecting them from predators.
Protecting them from believing the lie that their value has to be earned.
As parents, we have the incredible privilege of reminding our children of something the world can never give them...
They are already loved.
They were created with purpose.
Their worth was established by the One who created them—not by someone hiding behind a screen.
Another thing that really stayed with me was how often Dave emphasized conversations over control.
Of course boundaries matter.
Rules matter.
Technology safeguards matter.
But if our children only know our rules and don't know our hearts, we've missed something important.
I want my children to know they can come to me with anything.
Even if they've made a mistake.
Even if they're embarrassed.
Even if they're scared.
Because grace has always been a better teacher than shame.
As parents, our job isn't just to protect our children from danger.
It's to build a relationship strong enough that they know exactly where to run when danger finds them.
One part of the conversation left me especially heartbroken.
Dave shared that some young girls are beginning to believe their bodies have become a form of currency because of what they've been exposed to online.
I had to pause for a moment.
Not because I couldn't believe it.
But because I could.
We're living in a world that's constantly trying to assign value to our children based on what they can offer instead of who they are.
As followers of Christ, we know that's never been God's design.
Our children were never created to chase validation.
They were created to know the One who calls them His own.
If I'm honest, this conversation didn't leave me feeling afraid.
It left me feeling responsible.
Responsible to keep having conversations.
Responsible to keep listening.
Responsible to keep learning.
Responsible to keep pointing my own children back to the only identity that will never change.
Technology will continue to evolve.
Artificial intelligence will continue to grow.
New apps will come.
Old ones will disappear.
But God's truth doesn't change.
His design for family doesn't change.
And neither does His love for our children.
If you're raising children, grandchildren, coaching young athletes, teaching students, or simply investing in the next generation, I hope you'll watch this conversation with Officer Dave Gomez.
Not because I want you to leave feeling fearful.
I hope you'll leave feeling equipped.
And I hope it reminds you—as it reminded me—that one of the greatest gifts we can give our children isn't another app or another rule.
It's our presence.
Our example.
Our prayers.
Our conversations.
And the steady reminder that their identity was settled long before the internet ever tried to redefine it.
If this episode encourages you, would you share it with another parent?
One conversation today could make all the difference tomorrow.
▶ Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dallasthepodcast
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform: Search Dallas The Podcast
Thank you for allowing me to spend a few minutes with you each week.
I never want these newsletters to simply tell you about an episode. My hope is that they encourage you in whatever season you're walking through and remind you that God is faithful—even in the challenges of raising children in a rapidly changing world.
I'll be praying for our families this week.
Praying for wisdom.
Praying for discernment.
And praying that our homes will always be places where our children know they are deeply loved, fiercely protected, and forever rooted in the truth of who God says they are.
With gratitude,
Dallas Fears
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